Birkenhead Park 19, Rossendale 51

BIRKENHEAD Park were unable to build on the previous week's victory over Wirral as they found Rossendale too powerful in arctic like conditions at the Upper Park on Saturday.

Rossendale moved quickly into their stride and it was virtually all one-way traffic in the first half as the Lancastrians cruised into a comfortable lead running in tries through Jordan Lord, George Peel, Tom Leader and George Tomlinson.

To make matters worse, Park also conceded a penalty try for collapsing a maul and Lewis Allen added a penalty and three conversions.

Park did have their moments but their only score of the half came through lock Josh Smith who beat off the challenge of two defenders to cross for the try which Dave Hall converted.

To their credit Park made a much better impression in the second half with prop Liam Sharples breaching the Rossendale defence for the first try of the half.

Rossendale winger Joe Simpson replied but Park continued to enjoy good possession and they were rewarded with a try from winger Adam Wellington who looked dangerous every time he got possession.

Birkenhead went close to a bonus point try and only determined defence by the visitors kept Park at bay.

Two late tries from Lord and Peel for Rossendale gave the score line a somewhat harsh look for Park who never gave up and showed plenty of endeavour.

Director of rugby, Martin O'Keefe said: "It was another disappointing result but there were some positives to take out of the game.

"We came back well in the second half but we were too far adrift at half time to have a realistic chance of catching Rossendale."

Park face a difficult assignment this Saturday when they travel to promotion chasing Hull who are in second place in the North Premier League.